5 Ways to Boost Officer Morale in Your Jail This Holiday Season
For many correctional professionals, the holidays look a little different. While much of the world slows down to gather with family, officers continue showing up—working long shifts, managing high-stress environments, and keeping their communities safe. Christmas can be an especially challenging time to maintain morale, which is why small, intentional acts of appreciation from jail administrators and sheriffs can make a real difference.
If you’re looking for simple, meaningful ways to bring holiday spirit into your facility, here are a few practical ideas you can implement with minimal budget and maximum impact.
1. Show Appreciation in Personal Ways
The holidays offer a natural opportunity to let your officers know they’re valued. Something as simple as a holiday meal or treats delivered to each shift can go a long way—especially when leadership is the one serving or handing them out. Some facilities have had great success with a “12 Days of Christmas” approach, offering small daily gestures like snacks, thank-you cards, or small giveaways leading up to Christmas Day.
If time allows, consider handwritten notes for each officer. Personalized appreciation, even just a few sentences, communicates that leadership sees the hard work being done—often in unseen moments. Another easy tradition is to hang stockings in staff-only spaces and fill them with small goodies, gift cards, or encouraging notes.
2. Add Fun with Friendly Competitions
A little friendly competition can lift spirits across all shifts. Allow teams or housing units to participate in a safe, policy-appropriate decoration contest. Competitions like “Best Spirit,” “Most Creative,” or “Cleanest Design” can spark camaraderie without disrupting operations.
Other low-effort ideas include an Ugly Christmas Sweater Day, Christmas Bingo, or quick holiday trivia during shift briefings. These small moments give officers a mental break and an opportunity to laugh—something every correctional facility needs more of during the holidays.
3. Involve Familes and the Community
Correctional work often asks families to sacrifice alongside the officer. Consider creating a small ornament wall or Christmas tree where staff can hang a picture or ornament from home. It’s a simple way to remind officers that their families are part of the team, too.
Community partnerships can also boost morale. Local schools or churches may be willing to create handwritten cards for your officers. Toy drives or food drives organized by staff can bring everyone together around a shared mission beyond the facility walls.
4. Make Leadership Presence Meaningful
One of the most appreciated gestures during the holidays is visible, sincere leadership engagement. Administrators making rounds to personally thank officers—especially during late or holiday shifts—sends a clear message that their time and sacrifice matter.
A short video message from the sheriff or jail administrator can also bring cohesion, especially across multiple shifts. If operations allow, offering an extra day off or special holiday reward through a drawing can be a powerful gesture of gratitude.
5. Traditions of Recognition
Recognition doesn’t have to be expensive to be impactful. Consider starting a small, holiday-themed award or recognition program to celebrate officers’ hard work throughout the year. For example, recognize “Unsung Hero of the Month” or “Holiday Spirit Award” with a certificate, a small gift card, or a fun badge that officers can display on their lockers or uniforms.
Even simple gestures like announcing these awards during shift briefings or posting winners on a staff bulletin board can create a sense of pride and accomplishment. By publicly acknowledging effort and dedication, leadership reinforces that every officer’s contribution matters—especially during the challenging holiday season.
For those who have consistently gone above and beyond throughout the year, consider nominating them for a JAILCON26 Corrections Professionals Awards. These awards honor individuals who demonstrate exceptional commitment, professionalism, and service throughout the year. Taking the time to submit a nomination not only elevates deserving officers on a national stage, but also reinforces a culture of appreciation within your facility—showing staff that their hard work is seen, valued, and worthy of recognition beyond the walls of the jail.
Small Acts Make A Difference
No matter how you choose to celebrate, the goal is simple: remind your officers that their work matters, they are valued, and they are not forgotten during a season that can otherwise feel isolating. A little Christmas spirit can go a long way behind the walls.
You may also be interested in “Beyond the Walls: Reaffirming our Commitment to Corrections Professionals”